Chicago, Chicago

Time for another whirlwind trip. As I mentioned earlier, we're going back to Chicago to attend a wedding! (I wish I'd followed the French diet more consistently, perhaps I would be a bit slimmer. But there's no use crying over spilt cafe au lait now.) It is interesting to me, at least, that I had just started thinking about the French diet (and applying it) around the time I went to Chicago last.

I managed to score us a great deal at a five star hotel, The Langham, Chicago. It's just north of the river, and only a couple of blocks off of famed N. Michigan Ave.  From the pictures on the hotels' website, it looks super nice and I'm especially interested in exploring the spa/indoor pool and relaxing with afternoon tea. Hopefully I'll be able to do both. Sometimes, when you are attending these kinds of events it can be hard to find the time, even though you are theoretically on vacation!

I'm not sure if I'll be able to post anything tomorrow or Monday (we fly back on Monday, so my usual weigh in will be delayed), but if not, have a great weekend!

Happy 4th of July!

Happy Independence Day! 

I can barely believe it is already the 4th of July and we are in the middle of summer.  The weather where I live has been a bit erratic--super hot some days and then cool and breezy others. 

Yesterday, Monsieur gave me the option to play some tennis pre-dinner or go for a swim. I felt very worn down because I'd been running around most of the day, so I chose the swim over more running around. Our pool was so warm that it felt like getting into a hot tub, and my muscles felt soothed despite swimming around for nearly 30 minutes. They say that exercise is--paradoxically--a good way to re-energize when you're feeling tired, but I've often felt that it depends on the type of exercise you pick and your reasons for feeling tired. I'm glad to say that now I'll know to choose a swim over something more vigorous the next time I feel too tired to move.

Anyway, there isn't much on the agenda for today. Mes parents will probably join us for some sort of BBQ dinner. I would have liked to have baked something special for today, perhaps something like Ina Garten's Flag Cake:

but that will have to wait for next year. Instead, I think I will just serve up some strawberries and whipped cream. Maybe I can add some blueberries, too, and really be patriotic. :)

I wish you and yours a wonderful 4th of July!!

Bienvenue, été! Welcome, summer!

It's a bit hard to believe that the Memorial Day Weekend is already here and summer is upon us.

Summer is by far my favorite season. I live for long days and light evenings, and find the warmth (as long as it doesn't get too hot) very relaxing. But, summer is not without its share of issues.  Bathing suits, for starters.

No matter how strictly I enforce the French diet 'rules', I know there is no way that I will quickly drop enough of my excess weight to feel as fabulous as I'd like for this summer season. Quick-French-Diet-Weight-Loss is a sort of oxymoron. The whole point is to re-evaluate your attitude towards food, diet, health and lifestyle so that, when you adopt the French diet, you slowly but surely reach your body's proper balanced weight.

So, that means that I have to be patient and focus on looking my best as I am currently, whether I'm at home, by the pool, at the beach, or out with friends and family.

It seems to me that planning some fun adventures is one sure-fire way to focus my attention on what summer is all about.

So, welcome back, Summer! I've missed you!